Diun vs Lazydocker: Different Docker Tools

Quick Verdict

These solve different problems. Diun monitors Docker registries for new image versions and notifies you when updates are available. Lazydocker is a terminal dashboard for monitoring running containers in real-time. Use Diun to know when to update; use Lazydocker to see what’s running now. They complement each other.

Overview

Diun (Docker Image Update Notifier) is a background service that watches your running containers and checks if newer image versions are available on Docker Hub, GHCR, or other registries. It sends notifications via email, Slack, Discord, Gotify, or 20+ other providers. It does not apply updates — it only notifies. Current version: 4.31.0.

Lazydocker is a terminal UI (TUI) that shows all Docker containers, images, volumes, and logs in a single dashboard. Run it via SSH for quick status checks, log tailing, and basic container operations. Current version: v0.24.4.

Diun tells you “there’s a new version available.” Lazydocker tells you “here’s what’s running right now.”

Feature Comparison

Feature	Diun 4.31	Lazydocker v0.24
Purpose	Image update notifications	Container monitoring/interaction
Interface	Background daemon	Terminal UI
Registry monitoring	Yes (Docker Hub, GHCR, etc.)	No
Update notifications	Yes (20+ providers)	No
Container status view	No	Yes (real-time)
Log viewing	No	Yes (colored, scrollable)
Resource monitoring	No	Yes (CPU, RAM)
Container start/stop	No	Yes
Image cleanup	No	Yes (remove unused)
Always running	Yes (background)	No (on-demand)
Docker labels support	Yes (per-container config)	No
Cron schedule	Yes	N/A
RAM usage	~15-20 MB	~10 MB (while active)

How They Work

Diun

Runs as a Docker container, checking registries on a schedule:

services:
  diun:
    image: crazymax/diun:4.31.0
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock:ro
      - diun-data:/data
    environment:
      DIUN_WATCH_SCHEDULE: "0 */6 * * *"
      DIUN_PROVIDERS_DOCKER: "true"
      DIUN_NOTIF_DISCORD_WEBHOOKURL: "https://discord.com/api/webhooks/..."
    restart: unless-stopped

Every 6 hours, Diun checks if any running container has a newer image available and sends a Discord notification (or email, Slack, Gotify, etc.).

Lazydocker

Run on-demand from your terminal:

lazydocker

See all containers, their status, CPU/RAM usage, and logs. Navigate with keyboard shortcuts. Exit when done.

Use Cases

Use Diun When…

• You want to know when container images have updates available
• You prefer to update manually but want to be informed
• You want notifications in Discord, Slack, email, or other channels
• You want to avoid automatic updates (Watchtower is deprecated) and still stay informed

Use Lazydocker When…

• You’re SSH’d into your server and want a quick overview
• You need to tail logs for debugging
• You want to check resource usage across containers
• You need to quickly restart or remove a container

Use Both When…

• You run any Docker-based self-hosting setup. Diun keeps you informed about updates; Lazydocker gives you real-time visibility. Zero conflict between them.

Final Verdict

Use both — they solve orthogonal problems. Diun runs in the background alerting you to available updates. Lazydocker is your on-demand dashboard for when you need to check on containers or debug issues.

If you must choose one: Diun provides more ongoing value by keeping you aware of available updates. You can always use docker ps and docker logs instead of Lazydocker, but there’s no command-line equivalent of Diun’s registry monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Diun automatically update containers like Watchtower?

No. Diun only notifies you that updates are available. You decide when and how to apply them. This is safer than automatic updates. (Note: Watchtower (deprecated), which did apply automatic updates, has been archived and is no longer maintained.)

Can Lazydocker show which containers have updates available?

No. Lazydocker shows the current state of running containers. It doesn’t check registries for newer versions. That’s Diun’s job.

Which is lighter on resources?

Both are very light. Diun uses ~15-20 MB running continuously. Lazydocker uses ~10 MB only while you’re actively using it. Neither will impact your server’s performance.

Related

• How to Self-Host Diun with Docker
• How to Set Up Lazydocker
• Watchtower vs Diun
• Lazydocker vs Dockge
• Best Docker Management Tools
• Docker Compose Basics
• Updating Docker Containers Safely